"We're both interested in old books and novels, though our individual preferences don't overlap too much. But you could say we competed for a few such treasures." Darren folded his hands while he spoke, then made a small gesture while meeting her eyes. "He never invited me to this house though."

"I am not sure he'd want me here - a kind of jealousy, I suspect. His description of you also seemed aimed at keeping me away." Another smile, white teeth flashing as the caught the light, was aimed at her, though there was a touch of amusement hidden behind the flirting.

"He might have aimed at preventing me or someone else from paying you a visit." Darren's voice held some hint of amusement again - if it's aimed at the notion of trying to fool someone as confident as him, or at her brother, or at something else is unclear though. "He could be a bit protective, but there were those moods..." He trailed off "I hope I did not tread where I should not have."

"No it's fine. Would you like something to eat or drink?" Little did she know that he didn't thirst for pop but something she had inside of her. Something that could kill her if he took more then what he should.

She could feel his eyes follow her, trace her movements - like a panther tracked a deer in some ways, like a lover's gaze in other ways. Once she left the living room his presence - unusual for such a young man - became even more noticable in its sudden absence.

(that his "charisma", the way he dominates a room, and catches the attention of the people in a room, his "presence" so to speak, becomes even more noticable once one leaves the room and realizes what one is now missing. Like if one is at a loud concert, then enters a sound-proof room - it makes one realize just how loud it was before.

It felt almost weird not having him near her side. Now she took a can of pop and started to drink. The cool liquid running down her throat. After a few more chugs she resumed her position on the couch beside her company maybe even a little closer then before.

For a moment it felt like she stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight when she reentered the living room, and his gaze on her was at the same time friendly and somewhat embarrassing, his eyes making her feel more attractive and beautiful than she had felt in some time.

He stood up when she entered too, and sat down when she sat again, somehow managing to make the whole gesture look polite and classy, and not antiquated, despite his casual clothes.

The look of his eyes made her blush slightly before she sat down. Suddenly there was a sudden crush she had on him. Did he feel the same way about her? It made her feel a bit uncomfortable when he stood just for a moment and then sat back down. It was getting somewhat late now and she might need to go to bed. "Did you want to spend the night here?" She asked after a few moments of silence.

His body was harder than expected - he must be working out a lot - and she almost felt a spark when they touched. He did not seem to mind, but made a joke about being part of the furniture now, serving as a cushion. It sounded less suave, but in a way more endearing.

Darren smiled, but with a small pause, as if to show it had not been entirely a joke. He pointed at the still visible signs of he repairs. "Do you have any trouble with the authorities or contractors?"

"This..." he made a sweeping gesture encompassing the whole room and garden "... could have been restored in half the time since. Sometimes one has to properly motivate the workers." Now he sounded, for a second, like her grandfather. Then he grinned - no, smiled - at her, and the impression vanished. "Not that I would blame anyone wanting to prolong working in your presence."